Eyes on the sky: Breeze Airways is adding flights and growing its fleet

Breeze Airways keeps growing by adding nonstop routes from underserved markets as it also looks to add to its fleet aggressively.

Last week, the upstart airline announced 22 new routes and new service to Boston, Buffalo, New York, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which is its newest international destination. The company created buzz by offering one-way fares as low as $49. Myrtle Beach landed a big share of the growth, with 11 new nonstop routes that raise Breeze’s seats there by 70% in January 2027 compared with January 2026. Boston service to Myrtle Beach runs daily from May 4, and Latrobe flights start February 9. Notably, Florida is also a focus, with seven new routes linking the state to the Northeast, West Virginia, and the Dominican Republic.

The Airbus A220-300 is at the center of the airline's growth plan. Breeze recently flew its last Embraer E190 and now operates only A220s. It has taken delivery of more than 60 of its 90 firm orders and holds options for 30 more. CEO David Neeleman says the A220’s efficiency is how Breeze plans to “cost-effectively scale” its model of cheap nonstop flights because using one aircraft type simplifies maintenance to lower costs.

The low-cost airline was founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, known for previously helping to launch JetBlue (JBLU), WestJet, and Azul (AZUL). Headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Breeze began operations in May 2021 and focuses on providing efficient and affordable flights primarily between secondary airports, intentionally bypassing major hubs to reduce travel time and serve routes with little or no competition.

Today, Breeze Airways is competing on some routes against Allegiant Air (ALGT), Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines (ULCC), JetBlue Airways (JBLU), and Southwest Airlines (LUV).

Looking ahead, Neeleman has said Breeze could eventually fly up to 400 aircraft, and a future A220-500 version may be key to getting there. There has also been some speculation in the industry about an IPO in 2027.